What are enemas and how can they help with constipation? Discover the different types of enemas, their potential benefits, and potential health concerns in this informative article.

Understanding Enemas: An Overview

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid used to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of the bowel. They have been utilized for centuries to alleviate chronic constipation and prepare individuals for certain medical tests and procedures. Enemas can be administered by a healthcare professional or self-administered at home.

The Role of Enemas in Treating Constipation

Constipation is a condition characterized by the slowing down of the natural movement of stool, resulting in hard, dry, and difficult-to-excrete feces. For many individuals, constipation can be a persistent problem that requires interventions such as enemas or rectal laxatives.

Types of Enemas

There are two main types of enemas: cleansing enemas and retention enemas.

Cleansing Enemas

Cleansing enemas are water-based and intended to be held in the rectum for a short period to flush the colon. They are designed to promote the excretion of loose matter and impacted stool. Common types of cleansing enemas include water or saline, Epsom salt, sodium phosphate, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and soap suds.

Retention Enemas

Retention enemas are formulated to be held in the bowel for an extended period, typically at least 15 minutes, before being released. These enemas may be water- or oil-based, softening the stool and facilitating its removal. Examples of retention enemas include coffee, mineral oil, probiotic, and herbal enemas.

Potential Benefits of Enemas

Enemas can be effective in relieving constipation by stimulating bowel movements and promoting the excretion of impacted stool. They may also be used to prepare the colon for certain medical tests and procedures, reducing the risk of infection and preventing stool from interfering with the process.

Addressing Chronic Constipation

For individuals struggling with persistent constipation, enemas can provide a temporary solution by encouraging bowel movements and clearing the colon. This can offer relief from the discomfort and potential complications associated with chronic constipation.

Preparing for Medical Procedures

Enemas are often prescribed before diagnostic tests or surgical procedures to ensure the colon is empty, reducing the risk of infection and improving the visibility or access during the procedure.

Potential Health Concerns with Enemas

While enemas can be effective in certain situations, they are not without potential risks and side effects. It is important to be aware of these health concerns when considering the use of enemas.

Disrupting Gut Bacteria

Enemas, particularly those containing harsh chemicals or irritants, can disturb the delicate balance of gut bacteria, known as the microbiome. This can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and potentially contribute to other health issues.

Electrolyte Imbalances

Some types of enemas, such as those containing sodium phosphate, can affect the body’s electrolyte balance, leading to potentially serious complications, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions.

Choosing the Right Enema

When considering the use of enemas, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate type and ensure it is used safely and effectively. Water-based or saline enemas generally carry the least risk, while more harsh or specialized enemas may require more caution.

Consulting a Healthcare Provider

For individuals with chronic constipation or those who require enemas for medical procedures, it is advisable to work closely with a healthcare provider to develop a safe and effective treatment plan.

Proper Use and Administration

Proper technique and administration of enemas is crucial to avoid complications and maximize their effectiveness. Individuals should follow the instructions provided by their healthcare provider or the product manufacturer carefully.

Conclusion

Enemas can be a helpful tool in addressing constipation and preparing the colon for medical procedures. However, it is important to understand the different types of enemas, their potential benefits, and the possible health concerns associated with their use. By working closely with a healthcare provider and following best practices, individuals can safely and effectively utilize enemas to manage their constipation and maintain their overall digestive health.

Everything You Need to Know

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• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
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Was this helpful?

Enemas are used to relieve constipation and cleanse the colon. Water- or saline-based enemas tend to carry the least risk. However, enemas can have side effects, such as disturbing your gut bacteria and affecting your body’s electrolyte balance.

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid intended to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of your bowel.

They have been used for hundreds of years to treat chronic constipation and prepare people for certain medical tests and surgeries (1).

Enemas can be administered by a medical professional or self-administered at home.

This article reviews different types of enemas, as well as their potential benefits and health concerns.

Constipation is a condition in which the natural movement of your stool slows down, making them hard, dry, and difficult to excrete. For many people, this can be a chronic problem that requires an intervention like an enema — or a laxative inserted rectally.

Enemas may also be prescribed to flush out your colon before certain diagnostic tests or surgeries. Your bowel needs to be empty before these procedures to reduce infection risk and prevent stool from getting in the way.

According to some enema advocates, when waste builds up in your colon over time, it leads to ailments like depression, fatigue, headaches, allergies, and irritability, and using enemas can provide relief.

While it’s true that many people with chronic constipation experience depression and other psychological symptoms, evidence is lacking to suggest that waste buildup directly leads to the other aforementioned effects (2, 3).

There are two main types of enemas — cleansing and retention.

Cleansing enemas

Cleansing enemas are water-based and meant to be held in the rectum for a short time to flush your colon. Once injected, they’re retained for a few minutes until your body rids itself of the fluid, along with loose matter and impacted stool in your bowel.

Some of the most common cleansing enemas include (3, 4):

• Water or saline. The least irritating of all options, water or saline — salt water that mimics your body’s sodium concentration — are used primarily for their ability to expand the colon and mechanically promote defecation.
• Epsom salt. This is similar to a water or saline enema, but magnesium-rich Epsom salt is said to be more effective at relaxing bowel muscles and relieving constipation.
• Sodium phosphate. This is a common over-the-counter enema that works by irritating your rectum, causing it to expand and release waste.
• Lemon juice. Lemon juice mixed with warm, filtered water is said to balance the pH of your body while cleansing your colon.
• Apple cider vinegar. Advocates say that mixing apple cider vinegar with warm, filtered water can quickly clear the bowel and may have other antiviral healing effects on your digestive system.
• Soap suds. Adding castile soap, or another mild soap with minimal additives, to water mildly irritates the bowel, which encourages the rapid excretion of stool.

Retention enemas

Retention enemas are designed to be held in your bowel for an extended period — usually a minimum of 15 minutes — before being released. Retention enemas may be water- or oil-based, which softens the stool and makes it easier for your body to expel.

Some of the most common retention enemas include (5, 6, 7):

• Coffee. Coffee enemas are a mixture of brewed, caffeinated coffee and water thought to promote bile removal from the colon. They were popularized by Max Gerson, a physician who used them to help treat people with cancer.
• Mineral oil. This type of enema works primarily by lubricating waste inside of your colon, sealing it with water, and promoting its removal.
• Probiotic. Mixing probiotics with water may cleanse your bowel while helping colonize your good gut bacteria. Lactobacillus reuteri enemas have been shown to reduce inflammation in children with ulcerative colitis.
• Herbal. Some people use herbs like garlic, catnip tea, or red raspberry leaf mixed with water to make herbal enemas with purported nutritional, infection-fighting, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Summary

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid that are intended to cleanse your bowel or treat chronic constipation. The two main types — cleansing and retention enemas — come in a variety of solutions and can be injected at home.

Enemas can treat constipation and clear out your bowel. However, many people choose to use enemas for other purported health benefits (8, 9).

Some advocates claim that enemas can support weight loss, remove toxins and heavy metals from your body, and improve your skin, immunity, blood pressure, and energy levels.

Still, evidence is limited to suggest that enemas are effective for these purposes or that they benefit everyone who uses them. Most evidence in support of their effectiveness is anecdotal, despite their widespread use in modern medicine (10).

Enemas appear to be most effective when used to relieve chronic constipation in a medical setting, though they come with many risks, especially when self-administered at home (11, 12).

Summary

Enemas can be effective in cleansing the bowel and treating chronic constipation, but most evidence in their favor is anecdotal rather than science based.

Though enemas can clean out your bowel, you should consider their risks and take certain precautions before using one.

May interrupt your body’s natural balances

Enemas may disturb your gut bacteria and throw off your body’s electrolyte balance.

Research shows that enemas used in preparation for medical procedures significantly disrupt gut bacteria, though the effect appears to be temporary. However, enemas that are split and administered in two doses seem to have fewer effects on the microbiome (13, 14).

Electrolyte disturbances have been observed with various types of enemas, such as large-volume soap suds enemas and those containing minerals.

For instance, there have been reports of Epsom salt enemas causing death from magnesium overdose. In another case, an older man died from severe electrolyte disruption caused by taking two sodium phosphate enemas (3, 15, 16).

Other reports note that the overuse of enemas to flush out the colon may lead to severe dehydration, which can be fatal (17).

Enema solutions can harm your bowel

Lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and coffee enemas are highly acidic, and scientific evidence to suggest their effectiveness or safety is lacking.

What’s more, the evidence shows that their acidity and makeup can harm your bowel and lead to rectal burns, inflammation, infections, and even death (1).

Similarly, there are reports of children being given acidic hydrogen peroxide enemas, which resulted in an inflamed colon, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and long-term complications (18).

Furthermore, in some people, herbal enemas have caused internal bleeding that required a blood transfusion and removal of the colon (1).

Dirty or improperly used tools can cause infection and damage

If you self-administer an enema at home, it’s critical to make sure that the tools you use are sterile, meaning they’re free of harmful germs. The use of dirty tools increases your risk of contracting a potentially dangerous infection.

Improper tool use may also cause physical damage to your rectum, anus, or colon. Studies indicate that perforation of the bowel is not a rare complication of frequent enema use that could put your internal organs at risk of infection (3, 12, 19).

Sterile enema injection kits, which usually include a bucket, tubing, solution, and sometimes a bulb, can be found online or at many local drug stores. They come with directions for cleaning and safe use.

Summary

Though enemas can be safe and effective, they come with many risks, especially when administered at home. Improperly used enemas can cause potentially life-threatening physical and chemical damage to your rectum or colon.

If you’re mainly considering an enema to stimulate and clean out your digestive system, there may be other, less invasive options.

Some potential alternatives to enemas, which can promote waste excretion and bowel regularity, include (20, 21, 22, 23):

• drinking caffeinated coffee, which is known to stimulate defecation
• staying well hydrated with water
• getting regular exercise like walking, running, biking, or aerobics
• trying an over-the-counter oral laxative like magnesium
• increasing your fiber intake by eating whole plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

If you have severe constipation or other medical issues, speak to your medical provider to determine whether an enema would be a safe and appropriate treatment.

Summary

Less risky alternatives to enemas that can help stimulate bowel movements include staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and following a healthy, high-fiber diet.

Enemas are used to relieve constipation and cleanse the colon. Water- or oil-based solutions are injected into the bowel through your rectum to expel impacted waste.

Mild enemas like water or saline carry the least risk, but you should consult your healthcare provider before using one at home. Furthermore, ensuring the proper use of sterile injection tools is very important for safety.

Many people swear by enemas to promote regularity and prevent constipation, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited.

Other, less risky alternatives may be a better option in most cases.

Everything You Need to Know

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Enemas are used to relieve constipation and cleanse the colon. Water- or saline-based enemas tend to carry the least risk. However, enemas can have side effects, such as disturbing your gut bacteria and affecting your body’s electrolyte balance.

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid intended to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of your bowel.

They have been used for hundreds of years to treat chronic constipation and prepare people for certain medical tests and surgeries (1).

Enemas can be administered by a medical professional or self-administered at home.

This article reviews different types of enemas, as well as their potential benefits and health concerns.

Constipation is a condition in which the natural movement of your stool slows down, making them hard, dry, and difficult to excrete. For many people, this can be a chronic problem that requires an intervention like an enema — or a laxative inserted rectally.

Enemas may also be prescribed to flush out your colon before certain diagnostic tests or surgeries. Your bowel needs to be empty before these procedures to reduce infection risk and prevent stool from getting in the way.

According to some enema advocates, when waste builds up in your colon over time, it leads to ailments like depression, fatigue, headaches, allergies, and irritability, and using enemas can provide relief.

While it’s true that many people with chronic constipation experience depression and other psychological symptoms, evidence is lacking to suggest that waste buildup directly leads to the other aforementioned effects (2, 3).

There are two main types of enemas — cleansing and retention.

Cleansing enemas

Cleansing enemas are water-based and meant to be held in the rectum for a short time to flush your colon. Once injected, they’re retained for a few minutes until your body rids itself of the fluid, along with loose matter and impacted stool in your bowel.

Some of the most common cleansing enemas include (3, 4):

• Water or saline. The least irritating of all options, water or saline — salt water that mimics your body’s sodium concentration — are used primarily for their ability to expand the colon and mechanically promote defecation.
• Epsom salt. This is similar to a water or saline enema, but magnesium-rich Epsom salt is said to be more effective at relaxing bowel muscles and relieving constipation.
• Sodium phosphate. This is a common over-the-counter enema that works by irritating your rectum, causing it to expand and release waste.
• Lemon juice. Lemon juice mixed with warm, filtered water is said to balance the pH of your body while cleansing your colon.
• Apple cider vinegar. Advocates say that mixing apple cider vinegar with warm, filtered water can quickly clear the bowel and may have other antiviral healing effects on your digestive system.
• Soap suds. Adding castile soap, or another mild soap with minimal additives, to water mildly irritates the bowel, which encourages the rapid excretion of stool.

Retention enemas

Retention enemas are designed to be held in your bowel for an extended period — usually a minimum of 15 minutes — before being released. Retention enemas may be water- or oil-based, which softens the stool and makes it easier for your body to expel.

Some of the most common retention enemas include (5, 6, 7):

• Coffee. Coffee enemas are a mixture of brewed, caffeinated coffee and water thought to promote bile removal from the colon. They were popularized by Max Gerson, a physician who used them to help treat people with cancer.
• Mineral oil. This type of enema works primarily by lubricating waste inside of your colon, sealing it with water, and promoting its removal.
• Probiotic. Mixing probiotics with water may cleanse your bowel while helping colonize your good gut bacteria. Lactobacillus reuteri enemas have been shown to reduce inflammation in children with ulcerative colitis.
• Herbal. Some people use herbs like garlic, catnip tea, or red raspberry leaf mixed with water to make herbal enemas with purported nutritional, infection-fighting, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Summary

Enemas are rectal injections of fluid that are intended to cleanse your bowel or treat chronic constipation. The two main types — cleansing and retention enemas — come in a variety of solutions and can be injected at home.

Enemas can treat constipation and clear out your bowel. However, many people choose to use enemas for other purported health benefits (8, 9).

Some advocates claim that enemas can support weight loss, remove toxins and heavy metals from your body, and improve your skin, immunity, blood pressure, and energy levels.

Still, evidence is limited to suggest that enemas are effective for these purposes or that they benefit everyone who uses them. Most evidence in support of their effectiveness is anecdotal, despite their widespread use in modern medicine (10).

Enemas appear to be most effective when used to relieve chronic constipation in a medical setting, though they come with many risks, especially when self-administered at home (11, 12).

Summary

Enemas can be effective in cleansing the bowel and treating chronic constipation, but most evidence in their favor is anecdotal rather than science based.

Though enemas can clean out your bowel, you should consider their risks and take certain precautions before using one.

May interrupt your body’s natural balances

Enemas may disturb your gut bacteria and throw off your body’s electrolyte balance.

Research shows that enemas used in preparation for medical procedures significantly disrupt gut bacteria, though the effect appears to be temporary. However, enemas that are split and administered in two doses seem to have fewer effects on the microbiome (13, 14).

Electrolyte disturbances have been observed with various types of enemas, such as large-volume soap suds enemas and those containing minerals.

For instance, there have been reports of Epsom salt enemas causing death from magnesium overdose. In another case, an older man died from severe electrolyte disruption caused by taking two sodium phosphate enemas (3, 15, 16).

Other reports note that the overuse of enemas to flush out the colon may lead to severe dehydration, which can be fatal (17).

Enema solutions can harm your bowel

Lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and coffee enemas are highly acidic, and scientific evidence to suggest their effectiveness or safety is lacking.

What’s more, the evidence shows that their acidity and makeup can harm your bowel and lead to rectal burns, inflammation, infections, and even death (1).

Similarly, there are reports of children being given acidic hydrogen peroxide enemas, which resulted in an inflamed colon, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and long-term complications (18).

Furthermore, in some people, herbal enemas have caused internal bleeding that required a blood transfusion and removal of the colon (1).

Dirty or improperly used tools can cause infection and damage

If you self-administer an enema at home, it’s critical to make sure that the tools you use are sterile, meaning they’re free of harmful germs. The use of dirty tools increases your risk of contracting a potentially dangerous infection.

Improper tool use may also cause physical damage to your rectum, anus, or colon. Studies indicate that perforation of the bowel is not a rare complication of frequent enema use that could put your internal organs at risk of infection (3, 12, 19).

Sterile enema injection kits, which usually include a bucket, tubing, solution, and sometimes a bulb, can be found online or at many local drug stores. They come with directions for cleaning and safe use.

Summary

Though enemas can be safe and effective, they come with many risks, especially when administered at home. Improperly used enemas can cause potentially life-threatening physical and chemical damage to your rectum or colon.

If you’re mainly considering an enema to stimulate and clean out your digestive system, there may be other, less invasive options.

Some potential alternatives to enemas, which can promote waste excretion and bowel regularity, include (20, 21, 22, 23):

• drinking caffeinated coffee, which is known to stimulate defecation
• staying well hydrated with water
• getting regular exercise like walking, running, biking, or aerobics
• trying an over-the-counter oral laxative like magnesium
• increasing your fiber intake by eating whole plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

If you have severe constipation or other medical issues, speak to your medical provider to determine whether an enema would be a safe and appropriate treatment.

Summary

Less risky alternatives to enemas that can help stimulate bowel movements include staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and following a healthy, high-fiber diet.

Enemas are used to relieve constipation and cleanse the colon. Water- or oil-based solutions are injected into the bowel through your rectum to expel impacted waste.

Mild enemas like water or saline carry the least risk, but you should consult your healthcare provider before using one at home. Furthermore, ensuring the proper use of sterile injection tools is very important for safety.

Many people swear by enemas to promote regularity and prevent constipation, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited.

Other, less risky alternatives may be a better option in most cases.

How to give an enema to a child with constipation

How to give an enema to a child at home with stool retention, Olga Glushko, pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist of the Semeynaya clinic network, told Gazeta.Ru.

Why do you need an enema

The specialist reminded that an enema is a device that cleans and rinses the colon or injects medicinal substances into it.

Enemas for children who suffer from constipation are done both in a hospital and at home, but in the latter case, Glushko recommended that a baby or an older child be given a medicinal enema only as prescribed by a doctor.

She advised not to consider enema as a popular way to improve bowel function and to do it only in extreme cases. In all other cases, it is more correct to establish nutrition, provide the child with sufficient drinking regimen and physical activity, and for older children, include in the diet products that have a mild laxative effect on the intestines of children who suffer from constipation.

What kind of water to give an enema to a child

For a cleansing enema prescribed by a doctor, the pediatrician recommended using water at a temperature of 36-38 degrees.

A lower temperature will cause discomfort to the child, and a higher temperature is dangerous to health. Such an enema has a cleansing effect in case of constipation in a baby.

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How to make your own cleansing enema

“Enemas can be in the form of a rubber syringe bulb or a container with a tube (Esmarch’s mug). Such large volume enemas are not used in the treatment of children who suffer from constipation.

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Regardless of the type of enema, several factors must be considered in the technique of administration. First, the position of the body: it is important that the patient lies on his left side with his knees pulled up to his stomach. This is due to the anatomical location of the rectum: in this position it will be more convenient to insert the tip into the rectum and give an enema to a baby who suffers from constipation. In infants, the position is slightly different: on the back with legs raised to the stomach, ”the doctor explained.

“To make it easier to insert the handpiece into the rectum of a constipated child, it can be lubricated with Vaseline oil. The volume of liquid for a single injection is calculated individually and depends on the purpose of the enema, the type of liquid injected (oily, hypertonic and others are administered in small volumes, unlike water), the age and weight of the patient also matter. Usually the volume of water for an adult does not exceed a liter, for a child it is much less,” Glushko said.

Which solution to use for an enema

According to Glushko, at present, a medicinal solution for enemas for children suffering from constipation, including small ones, is not prepared at home, but microclysters are more often used, which is associated with ease of use for children of any age.

Microclysters are considered safer than conventional ones.

“These enemas are a tube with a plastic tip with a medicinal substance. They are intended for mild stool stimulation in case of constipation, before medical procedures on the rectum or examination by a proctologist. Enemas to normalize bowel function have a laxative effect, while their volume is only 5 ml, so the use of such enemas is more comfortable for children. Their introduction often does not involve lubricating the child’s anus with vaseline oil: it is enough to squeeze out a drop of the drug so that it lubricates the tip of the enema, ”the doctor summed up.

Enema for hemorrhoids – is it possible to do, how and which ones to put at home?

Contents

• Benefits and harms
• Indications and contraindications
• Home use
• Prescriptions
• Can it be used after hemorrhoid surgery?
• Can be used during pregnancy and before childbirth?
• Reviews

With hemorrhoids, constipation is often observed, which aggravates the situation. If you need urgent help, it is recommended to do an enema for hemorrhoids. It is characterized by a high level of efficiency and is able to alleviate the patient’s condition in the shortest possible time.

At the same time, the specifics of the disease are taken into account. The procedure is carried out as carefully as possible so as not to damage the hemorrhoids.

In order to permanently get rid of constipation, it is necessary to correct the diet and lifestyle. If the patient’s menu includes vegetables and fruits in sufficient quantities, then this will positively affect the state of the stool.

Benefits and harms

Cleansing enema has a huge number of benefits:

1. With its help, the intestines are cleansed of feces as efficiently as possible. After application, the defecation process is greatly facilitated.
2. They have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
3. During the application of this method of treatment, spasms are eliminated.
4. Enemas tone the blood vessels, which has a positive effect on the process of treating the disease.

Enemas are characterized by the presence of one significant drawback – when they are used, the microflora is washed out. That is why it is not worth using this method of treatment too often.

Indications and contraindications

Cleansing enemas for hemorrhoids should be carried out only if there are appropriate indications:

1. In the presence of constipation, burning, itching, soreness and other unpleasant symptoms in the rectal area.
2. If a patient has an inflammatory process in the area of ​​the rectum, then he needs to use this procedure.
3. Also, it is used for: cracks; ulcers; damage;
4. Before various therapeutic manipulations.

This method of treatment is characterized by the absence of contraindications.

Home use

For hemorrhoids, an enema is performed using Esmarch’s cup. The procedure should be carried out using clean drinking water. Its temperature should be between 36 and 37 degrees.

Instructions:

1. The patient is placed on the couch on his side. He needs to bend his legs and pull him up to his stomach. An oilcloth is placed under the patient.
2. Fill the mug with water and place it 1.5 meters higher than the patient is lying down.
3. The tip of the enema is lowered and air is released from it until water appears. After that, you need to turn off the faucet. The tip must be lubricated with petroleum jelly and inserted as carefully as possible into the anus.
4. Next, the faucet is opened. After the enema runs out of water, the tip must be removed.
5. The patient is advised to go to the toilet only 20 minutes after the procedure.

Cleansing Enema

The use of a cleansing enema is recommended for the fastest stool removal. It is used before installing suppositories or when it becomes necessary to diagnose the rectum. Also, enema is widely used before surgery.

Esmarch’s mug is used in most cases for administering a cleansing enema. After the procedure, the patient needs to lie down until pain appears. Only after that is it allowed to go to the toilet.

Hypertonic

When there is a need for rapid bowel movements, hypertensive enemas are often prescribed to patients. It is characterized by a small volume – up to 100 milliliters, which is an indisputable advantage.

This is due to the fact that cleaning is often forbidden because of its large volumes. The action of the enema is aimed at irritating the receptors and increasing peristalsis. The solution draws fluid from nearby tissues, which contributes to the most rapid softening of the stool.

Siphon enema

Siphon enema is a universal treatment for hemorrhoids and constipation that accompanies them. The procedure is carried out using a variety of medicines, which contributes to the recovery of the patient. For preparation, infusions and decoctions based on a variety of medicinal plants can be used.

During the use of chamomile, the patient’s condition is relieved, which is explained by the presence of antiseptic properties. To combat soreness and relieve the inflammatory process, the use of a decoction of wormwood is recommended. The procedure is carried out using a pear.

Drip

In order to carry out a drip enema, it is necessary to use Esmarch’s mug. It is characterized by the presence of a clamp, which controls the flow of fluid.

Pour the solution into the mug and fill the entire system with it. With the help of a clamp, the amount and intensity of fluid intake is controlled. During the procedure, it is necessary to ensure that the fluid is constantly supplied. The procedure should be carried out 2-3 times a day.

Oil enema

If the patient has persistent constipation, an oil enema should be administered. For this purpose, corn, linseed, sunflower oil can be used, which is preheated to the optimum temperature.

The solution is injected using a conventional rubber bulb. With the help of oil, the intestinal muscles are relaxed, which contributes to the gentle cleansing of the intestines. Due to the lack of an immediate effect, it is recommended to put an enema at night.

Recipes

A variety of solutions can be used for enemas. In most cases, potassium permanganate is used for this purpose. It must be diluted in water until a pink color is obtained and the liquid is injected into the anus.

To stop bleeding, you can use enemas based on decoctions of wormwood, celandine or chamomile. To prepare them, you need to take a few tablespoons of herbs, pour a liter of boiling water and insist for 2 hours.

After straining, the solution is used for the procedure. Also, you can prepare a solution based on soda. For one liter of water, you need to use 2 tablespoons of soda.

Can I put it on after hemorrhoid surgery?

After surgery on hemorrhoids, it is strictly forbidden to strain excessively during defecation. That is why patients are prescribed a special diet. In the first days after the operation, the patient should fast and take only fluids.

After surgery, defecation is quite painful. To ensure the fastest healing of sutures, it is recommended to prescribe enemas during the recovery period. With their help, hemorrhoids heal as quickly as possible, and the recovery period is also reduced.

After surgery, patients are advised to use oil enemas.

Can be used during pregnancy and before childbirth?

During pregnancy, it is strictly forbidden to take large amounts of medicines. That is why the setting of cleansing enemas is recommended. Its introduction should be carried out as carefully as possible in the supine position.

Reviews

Angelina, 29 years old: “Last year, I still got hemorrhoids (no one will recognize me here anyway).